- Paperback: 496 pages
- Publisher: Three Rivers Press; Updated edition (Aug 26 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0609806920
- ISBN-13: 978-0609806920
- Product Dimensions: 18.6 x 2.5 x 23.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 762 g
- Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#187,251 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #13 in Books > Reference > Foreign Languages > Instruction > Yiddish
- #13 in Books > Reference > Foreign Languages > Yiddish
- #52 in Books > Reference > Words & Language > Etymology
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Library Journal
On the other hand, the revised edition of Rosten's 1968 The Joys of Yiddish, now the de facto standard reference on this topic, is designed as a lexicon of Yiddish words and phrases that have been, are becoming, or should be incorporated into the English language. The work explores the nuances and complexities of language, clarifying the interrelationship between Yiddish and English (Yinglish, according to Rosten). The lengthy alphabetical listing not only presents multiple spellings, pronunciation guides, definitions, and cross references but also illustrates usage with background information, anecdotes, and jokes, as well as breezy erudition in the form of tidbits of cultural history, Talmudic and biblical references, tips on pronunciation, and thoughtful commentary. These illustrations demonstrate Rosten's enthusiasm and love of the Yiddish language, qualities that distinguish his work as an ongoing, best-selling classic. In consultation with Rosten's daughters, Lawrence Bush, an editor, has updated the original, retaining its spirit and adding hundreds of new entries. The revision incorporates additional material on modern Yiddish literature and culture and updates on changes in American Jewish life and faith. Also included as an appendix is an English-Yiddish dictionary. Both reference works are highly recommended for language collections. Marilyn Rosenthal, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Booklist
Completely updated it's not. And who would want that anyway? What this new edition does is add fascinating bits of commentary to the late Leo Rosten's 1968 lexicon about how Yiddish has become part of colloquial English. More than ever, Yinglish is part of how we speak, not only in everyday words like shtick, shlep, mishmash, etc., but also in the wry shtetl idiom: melancholy, ironic, furious, schmaltzy, smart. Rosten says that language is culture, and in some ways editor Bush's new footnotes give a quick overview of Jewish American life in the last 30 years, including the changes in the role of women, the rise of Reform and other denominations, the comeback of Jewish mysticism, and the rising rate of intermarriage. Bush also adds some notes about the history of Yiddish and its current revival in academia, as theater, on the Internet, and in Israel. Most readers, though, will still grab this for the jokes and the stories, to read aloud and remember and to laugh about for years. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fiddleresque,
This review is from: The New Joys of Yiddish: Completely Updated (Paperback)
Found this is a New Bedford goodwill store for 10 cents. It has a lot of interesting info in it, but drenched in Fiddleresque sentimentality about Jewish expressiveness. One interesting theme is his ongoing campaign to claim disputed slangwords for Yiddish as opposed to German, Gaelic etc: fin, shamus.He barely touches one important subject -- the adoption of Yiddish syntax into slangy English, "enough already," "you should only live so long," etc.
5.0 out of 5 stars
America ganef! It's even better.,
By
This review is from: The New Joys of Yiddish: Completely Updated (Hardcover)
"America ganef!" my Grandma would exclaim upon encountering a pleasant surprise. (See JOY page 115.) That's my reaction seeing this old friend renewed, broader, more current and more liberal in its Jewish scope, and more lively and attractive because of the illustrations and layout. Yet it is still the warm, friendly, funny book I remember from nearly 30 years ago.Somehow the New Joys of Yiddish has more meaning for me now that nearly all those family members I remember using Yiddish often - some relying on it almost entirely, others just when they used a forceful, colorful, close-to-the heart expression (which was very often) - are gone. The book evokes memories of those good people to whom we owe so much - if only for having had the wisdom to select this country for us and our children. The book is like a warm and witty friend whose conversation brightens your home and is rarely pedantic. (At a couple of places, such as his seven page exposition on the messiah, he does go on too long.) Two types of people will find this book enjoyable: those who read the original edition and those who didn't. So to the Rosten family and Larry Bush - mazal tov!
2.0 out of 5 stars
The Understated Joys of Yiddish,
By A Customer
This review is from: The New Joys of Yiddish: Completely Updated (Hardcover)
Simplistic and without real scholarship, one wonders why this is the book that people chose for any kind of language enhancment of the joys of that most subtle and lovely of langauges.
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